Swimmer&#39;s float



Feb. '20, 1923; 1,446,222.

. I L. A. SWINEFORD.

SWJMMER'S FLOAT, FILED MAR. I. 1922.

1J.A.$Wineford INVENTOR A-i-roRNEY Patented (Feb, 2Q, i923.

LLOYD SWINEITOBD,OF ASHLAND, OHIO.

SWIMIWER S FLOAT.

Application filed March 7, 1922. Serial No. 541,700.

To all whom-2'25 may concern:

Be itknown that I, LLOYD A. Swrnnronn, a citizen of the United States, residing at iishland, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, have'invented anew and usenate the proper movements of his arms and legs in learning the art of swimming.

A. further object of the invention is the provision of an improved device which is compact, simple and efficient, and which comprises a casing having two or 'more compartments, each forming a pocket for the reception of an inflatable balloon or bladder devoid of the usual valve, the easing being adapted tobe' worn on the back of the bather.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration ofthe following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity With the showing in the drawing, but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as eX pressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of my improved float secured upon the back of a bather.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation of one form of rnv invention. 1

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of a moditied form.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a single compartment of the float taken along the line 4: 4- of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section ofithe float taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a fabric casing which is preferably formedby folding a single piece of fabric of suitable length and width upon itself at 2, and stitched adjacent the edge 2, at 3. The lower edges of the folded fabric are cut away in such a manner as to form two curved bottom portions 4:, the line of stitching 3 being continued around these curved bottom portions and up the longitudinal side edge 5.

rior of the casing. As shown in Fig. 3, a row of stitching 6 is placed intermediate the longitudinal sideedges 2 and 5 of the easing, whereby the two sides joined together to form two pockets 7 and 8.

In my preferred form shown more particularly in Fig. 2, I provide each opposite open-ended side 9 and 10 with a row of eyelets 11' arranged along the longitudinal center of said sides and connected by a lace 12 whereby the two pockets or compartments 7 and 8 are formed, the lacing in this. instance replacing the stitching 6 of the other form.

The upper edges of the sides of the casing are free of stitching thereby providing an opening or entrance to the inteof thecashig are The upper edges of therear sides 9 of the p casing are provided with flaps l3 and 14: which are respectively adapted to provide closures for theopenings of thepockets 7 and 8, each flap being provided with a button hole 15 adapted to be engaged by a button 16 sewed to the front or outer side 10 of the casing.

An elongate-d inflatable member 1' 7, resembling in appearance and construction the well known elongated toy rubber balloon, is adapted to be inserted within each of the pockets 7 and 8, and inflated by V forclng air or gas through a nipple 18 formed at one end of the bladder 17. When said bladder is sufficiently filled, the nipple .18 maybe made air-tight in the usual man nor, that is, its sides are compressed or pinched together by a cord wrapped tightly around the nipple and knotted. This simple "construction of nipple and clamping cord eliminates the use of valves which invariably permit air to escape from the inflated 1ne1nber.

The rubber balloon or bladder is made sufliciently strong and reliable so that it will not readily'burst or be punctured, while the rubber is of such a composition that it Wlll not readily be affectedby the water.

A strap 19 is secured intermediate its ends,

as shown at 20 in Fig. 4L,to the upper edge of the rear side 9 of the casing and just below the juncture of the lower edges of the flaps 13 and 14:,and said rear side of the casing. The ends of these straps are secured at 21 to the longitudinal side edges 2 and 5 of the casing and at a point below the upper edge oi? said casing whereby two loops 22 and 28 are formed through which the arms of the bother are adapted to he slipped, and which loops encircle the shoulders 01 said bather.

A strap 2&- is secured transversely of its ends to the rear side 9 or the casing 1, and midway between the upper andlower edges of said casing, so that the free ends 25 and 26 oi. said strap may encircle the waist oi the bather and be tied in iront, whereby the loops and 9,3 and the strap 24- will maintain the bathefl'; float upon the back.

ot the bather, as shown in Fig. l of the drawing. Some iiorm oi buckle may be employed to connect the ends oifth'e strap 24, if desired. a

By securing the intermediate portions of straps 19 and 2a, which span the full width of the back of the casing, to the casing, the

straps are properly reinforced against separation from the casing. o

it will be seen "from. Fig. 1, that when the float is applied to the back of a b ather, there will be no abrupt ends to be pushed through the Water and retard the progress otthe swimmeix Furthermore, the length of the float and the position of the float upon the back of the bather is such, thatit will sustain the bather at the proper swimming angle in the water, so that the bather, with the element of danger of: sinking eliminated, is only required to concentrate his mind upon coordinating the movements of. his

arms and legs in the proper mode of swimming. a I A float of the averagesize 1S, capable of supporting a'weight of at least two hundred pounds. c

What is claimed is i r 1. A. swimmers float comprising a twosided fabric casing open at one end and closed atthe other end andboth sides'rby stitching, fastening means disposed longitudinally and centrally and connecting each side of the casingso as to divide the casing into two opemended compartments placed side by side, an elongated inflatable member insertable within each compartment, a flap for closing each compartment, and means for securing the casing to the body of the wearer.

2. A swimmers float comprising an openended fabric casing divided intermediate its longitudinal edges into a pair vof pockets, a closure for the open end of each pocket,

an elongated rubber bladder insertable with in each pocket, astra'p secured intermediate its ends to the upper end of the casing adjacent the closures, the freeends of the strap being secured to I the casing ata point below'the upperedge of the casing whereby loops are provided for the reception of the arms of the bather,

and a second strap secured intermediate its ends to one side of thecaslng, the free ends of the strap adapted to surround the body of the bather and be secured together to support-the casing and its contained inflatable members on the back of the .hather.

3. A swimmers fio'atcomprising a twosided one-piece tabric casing open at one end and having a row of a-lined eyelets disposed longitudinally and, centrally, in each side'fot' the casing, a lace threaded throughthe eyelets and dividing the easing into two openended compartments, an elongated inflatable member insertable within each compartment, flapsextending from the-upper edge otone side of the casing and, adjacent the open ends of eachcompartment, said flaps adapted to be closed over the open ends and secured to the oppositesides of the casing, and

means for securing the casing to the body of a wearer.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing my own,I have hereto affixed my signa ture.

LLOYD A. SWINEFORD the longitudinal edges of 

